Cooler

ABSTRACT

A COOLER FORMED FROM A BOTTOM AND TOP SECTION MOUNTED FOR RELATIVE ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT, A PLURALITY OF COMPARTMENTS ARRANGED IN A CIRCLE IN THE BOTTOM SECTION, A COOLANT CHAMBER POSITIONED WITHIN THE CIRCLE AND INDIVIDUAL PASSAGES CONNECTING THE COOLANT CHAMBER WITH EACH WITHDRAWN OR DISPENSED INDIVIDUALLY BY PERMITTING ACCESS OPENING THEREIN WHICH OPENING MAY, BY RELATIVE ROTATION OF THE TWO SECTIONS, BE ALIGNED WITH SELECTED OF SAID COMPARTMENTS.

F. TAYLOR Sept. 20, 1971 COOLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 29 1969 INVE/VTUR Frank TAYLOR A TTORNE Y Sept. 20, 1971 TAYLOR 3,605,435

COOLER Filed Dec. 29 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 //4 /25 /I/ /I0 /70 /62 M8 INVENTUR 7 Frank TAYLOR A TTORNEY United States Patent 3,605,435 COOLER Frank Taylor, 1319 Bernie St., La Salle, Quebec, Canada Filed Dec. 29, 1969, Ser. No. 888,563 Int. Cl. F25d 3/08 US. Cl. 62-457 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cooler formed from a bottom and top section mounted for relative rotational movement, a plurality of compartments arranged in a circle in the bottom section, a coolant chamber positioned within the circle and individual passages connecting the coolant chamber with each withdrawn or dispensed individually by permitting access opening therein which opening may, by relative rotation of the two sections, be aligned with selected of said compartments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of the invention The present invention relates to a cooler. More par ticularly, the present invention relates to a cooler having individual compartments for each unit to be cooled and means permitting access to each unit individually.

(b) Description of prior art Coolers for soft drinks, beer, etc. are well known but such coolers generally simply provide a single compartment into which both the cooling element and the units to be cooled are placed. Access to the compartment is by opening the lid of the cooler which exposes the whole interior to atmospheric temperature whereby each unit is heated and the cooling element (eg ice) is melted thereby greatly reducing the etficiency of the cooler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the main object of the invention to provide a cooler wherein each unit to be cooled is received within a separate compartment and wherein the units may be withdrawn or dispensed individually by permitting access to one compartment at a time.

Broadly, the present invention relates to a cooler comprising a first section and a second section, a plurality of spaced compartments in said first section, a chamber in said first section, passages interconnecting said compartments with said chamber, an access opening in said second section, said first and said second sections being relatively movable to permit positioning said access opening in direct communication with each of said compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further features, objects and advantages will be evident from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a isometric view of the cooler;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bottom section of the cooler;

FIG. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, but showing the assembled cooler with the top or lid section in position on the bottom section;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one form of coolant container;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of the preferred form of cooler constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of the cooler with the top removed; and

FIG. 7 is a section along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown, the cooler 10 is basically composed of a first or bottom section 12 and a second or lid section 14. Preferably, these sections will be made from a foamed polystyrene or other suitable material.

The bottom section 12 has a plurality of substantially vertically extending receiving compartments 16 adapted to receive a unit to be cooled, such as a can beverage or the like. Each compartment 16 is provided with an outstanding projection 18 on its bottom wall and a pair of axial channels 20 and 22 extending along its side wall from the bottom to the top of the compartment. The projection 18 and passages 20 and 22 function to improve the circulation of cooling air around the unit to be cooled, as will be fully explained hereinbelow. Each compartment 16 is connected by a passage 26 to a central annular chamber 24 wherein coolant may be contained. In place of one of the compartments 16 and passages 26 is a solid block of material as indicated at 25. This block of material provides a sealing surface 27 over which the aperture 44 (to be described hereinbelow) in the lid 14 is placed when the cooler is closed.

The chamber 24 described hereinabove surrounds a central pillar or post 28 upon which the lid section 14 is rotatably mounted by an axially extending bolt 30 provided with a wing nut 32 preferably of molded plastic securing the sections 12 and 14 together. The pillar is slightly lower than the height of the chamber 24 for reasons that will be more apparent as the description proceeds. An annular ledge 34 spaces a peripheral rim 36 from the peripheral edge of the section 12. The upper surface 38 of the rim 36 aids the top of the post 28 in supporting the lid section 14.

The bottom of section 12 is formed with a central pocket 40 having an axial socket 42 into which the head of the bolt 30 is received.

The lid section 14 as above indicated has an access aperture 44 extending therethrough. Said access aperture 44 is spaced radially from the axis of rotation of the section 14 substantially the same radial distances as the compartments 16 are spaced. The lid 14 is also provided with a central annular upstanding projection 46 formed with a socket 48 adapted to receive the end of bolt 30 and the wing nut 32, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Around the bottom periphery of the lid 14 is an annular lip '50 (see FIG. 3) which cooperates with the ledge 34 and rim 36 on the bottom section 12 to seal the cooler.

An annular hollow coolant container 52 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is filled with suitable coolant and having an aperture 54 adapted to receive the post 28 provides one convenient form in which coolant may be placed in the cooler. As shown, the coolant container 52 may be filled by removing the cap 56.

In operation, the top and bottom sections 14 and 12 are separated by undoing the wing unt 32. Individual containers are placed into each chamber 16 and a coolant container 52 full of coolant is slid into position around the post 28 into the chamber 24. The lid section 14 is then placed over the section 12 and secured in position by means of the wing nut 32 which preferably is tightened to force the lid down and provide a pressure fit between the lid and bottom sections. By making the post 28 shorter than the bottom section, it permits a slight deflection of the top section to form the pressure fit and tightly seal the cooler. To withdraw a container the plastic nut 32 is slightly loosened and the lid 14 is rotated relative to the bottom 12 to align the opening 44 with one of the compartments 16 so that by reaching into the compartment, the container may be withdrawn. After the container has been withdrawn, the lid may then be rotated back 3 to its closed position wherein the aperture 44 overlies the surface 27 thereby sealing off the cooler and the wing nut 32 tightened to lock the top in position and improve the seal.

The projection 18 and channels 20 and 22 facilitate cooling and obtain better circulation of cooling air within the cooler. The projection 18 holds the bottom of the container spaced from the bottom of the compartment 16. Cooling air circulates under the container, up the other side thereof along passages 20 and 22 and pass over the top of the container to return to the coolant container 52.

It will be noted that the bolt is completely isolated from the cooling chamber 24 thereby preventing conduction of substantial amounts of heat into the chamber or interior of the cooler by the bolt 30 which is made of good conductor material.

When the coolers are to be stacked, the projection 46 is received into the aperture 40 of the adjacent container whereby a stable stack is formed.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a cooler adapted to carry six canned or bottled beverages rather than twelve as in the earlier embodiment. The cooler 110 is formed of three main parts, a bottom section 112, a top or lid section 114, both preferably formed from foamed polystyrene, and a coolant con tainer 152.

The bottom 112 has a plurality of article-receiving substantially cylindrical compartments 116 each of which has its axial center line located on a circle having its center on the axial center line of the bottom section 112. Each of these compartments 116 has a bottom upwardly extending projection 118 adapted to support an article to be cooled above the fioor of the bottom section 112. These compartments 116 are defined by substantially circular walls 120 adjacent of which merge to form inwardly projecting side walls 122, the inner edges 121 of which aid in defining an annular coolant-receiving chamber 124. Individual passages 126 which connect the individual compartments 116 with the coolant compartment 124 are formed between adjacent walls 132. In the center of the compartment 124 is an upstanding substantially cylindrical pillar 128 with an axially extending aperture 129 which is adapted to receive a threaded rod 166 as will be described hereinbelow. The top of pillar 128 is spaced below the top edge or rim of the cooler.

In one location 130 no compartment 116- has been provided, but in its place the bottom 112 is provided with a boss 132 formed integral with the remainder of the bottom section 112. The boss 132 is spaced from an annular wall 134 which defines the boundary of the compartments 124 adjacent the boss 132 by a hole 136. The hole 136 is provided to facilitate molding and reduce the amount of material required to manufacture the cooler.

A U-shaped handle 138 having a pair of openings that are similarly received on a rod or tube-like member 140 is mounted on the boss 132 by means of the rod or tubelike member 140 being received within a suitable aperture 142 formed through the boss 132 (see FIG. 7). The'hole 142 extends substantially axially of the bottom section 112. Opposite ends of the boss 132 are spaced from the top and bottom of the bottom section 112 and the handle member 138 is received between the ends of the boss 132 and the adjacent ends of the bottom section 112, whereby the handle 138 will not interfere with the rotation of the top member 114 relative to the bottom member 112 nor the laying of the bottom member 112 fiat on a supporting surface.

The lid section 114 has a plurality of rounded compartment covering projections 144 each of which is adapted to close one of the compartments 116 and a cut-out area 146 which functions to provide an access opening into each of the compartments 116 when the lid 114 is so oriented relative to the bottom section 112. An upstanding peripheral flange 148 which extends completely about 4 the periphery of the lid 114 and is as wide or slightly wider than the top edge of the walls and 134 and cooperates with these walls 120 and 134 to seal the cooler. An axial cylindrical projection 150 cooperates with the inner edges 121 of the walls 122 with the wall 134 which define coolant chamber 124 to guide the lid section 114- when it is rotated on the bottom section 112 to open the compartments i.e. the vertical edges 151 of the projection 150 contact the edges 121 and the wall 134 to align the top section 114 with respect to the bottom section 112 and permit relative rotation of these two sections along the longitudinal axis of the cooler.

The coolant container 152 which is of any suitable shape such as the shape of the container 52 described hereinabove is adapted to be received within the chamber 124 and mounted on the pillar 128. The axial length of the container 152 is equal to or less than the height of the pillar or post 128 and is adapted to be received on and held in position within the chamber 124 by means of the pillar 128 being received within its axially extending apertures 164.

T 0 secure the various parts 112, 114 and 152 together, a threaded rod or bolt 166 is received within the aperture 129 (preferably glued in position therein). The container 152 (in cooled condition) is slid onto the post 128 so that the aperture 164 snugly embraces the post 128 to hold the container 152 in position i.e. prevent lateral shifting yet permitting axial withdrawal of the container 152 from the chamber 124. As above indicated, the container 152 does not project above the post 128 so that when the lid section 114 is mounted in position with the bolt or threaded rod 166 projecting through the aperture 162 therein and the special nut 170 is tightened, the lid section 114 is forced into contact with the top of the post 128 thereby deflecting the lid section 114 slightly to provide a tighter seal for the cooler.

As above indicated, to permit rotation of the lid section 114 on the bottom section 112 the top section is provided with a projection 150 having substantially ver tical walls 151 which cooperate with the inner edges 121 and the wall 134 to guide rotation of the lid section. The height of this projection and the height of the pillar 128 are correlated so that these two elements are slightly spaced when the lid section is positioned on the bottom section 112 and are moved into contact when the nut 170 is tightened to the proper degree.

As was described above with respect to the first embodiment of the present invention, the bolt 166 similar to the bolt 130 is completely surrounded by insulating material and thereby isolated from the interior of the cooler to prevent heat conduction around the bolt into the cooler.

The preferred arrangement as shown has a scalped outer periphery, thereby reducing materially the amount of material necessary to produce the cooler relative to the amount required to produce the cooler of FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive. Furthermore, the preferred arrangement provides a much better handle arrangement than is available on the cooler in FIGS. 1 to 4.

It will be noted that the bottom surface 154 has a plurality of indentations 156 to limit the surface contact when the cooler is laid on a flat surface and thus reduce heat conductivity.

The operation of the preferred cooler illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8 inclusive is similar to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive. First, the lid 114 is removed by unscrewing the nut 170 and sliding the lid axially of the bolt 116. The articles to be cooled or maintained cool are then slid into their respective individual compartments 116 and the frozen or cooled coolant container 152 is slid into the compartment 124 onto the pillar 128. The lid 114 may then be replaced and the nut 170 tightened to secure the lid 114 and the container 152 in position preferably to deflect the lid section 114 slightly and provide a tighter seal. The container 152 is held between the projection 150 on the top 114 and the bottom of section 112. The lid 114 is oriented so each projection 144 covers a chamber 116 and so that the recess 146 overlies the handle 138 and boss 132. To Withdraw an article from one of the compartments 116, the bolt 170 is loosened and the lid 114 is rotated relative to the bottom 112 While being guided by cooperation between the sides 151 of the projection 150 and the edges 121 and wall 134 to align the recess 146 with the selected compartment 116 and permit access for withdrawing an article therefrom. After the article has been withdrawn, the lid 114 is rotated relative to the bottom 112 back to the initial position wherein each of the compartments is sealed and the recess 146 is aligned with the handle 138 and boss 132 and the nut 170 is retightened.

Modifications may be made but not departing from the basic invention. For example, the number of chambers 16 may be varied as desired. Similarly, the number of vertical passages 20 and 22 may be changed.

I claim:

1. A cooler comprising a first section and a second section, a plurality of spaced compartments arranged in a circle in said first section, a chamber within said circle in said first section, each said compartment being in communication with said chamber, an access passage in said second section, means for mounting said second section on said first section for relative rotation of said second section relative to said first section about an axis on the centre of said circle, a pillar concentric with said axis in said first section, a coolant container, an aperture in said coolant container, said coolant container being received in said chamber, said pillar being received in said aperture.

2. A cooler as defined in claim 1, further comprising an area substantially the size of one of said compartments provided between one pair of adjacent of said compartments, said area providing a location for said passage when said cooler is closed.

3. A cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein said pillar terminates a slight distance from said second section, said distance being only sufficient to permit easy deflection of said second section into contact with said pillar when said first and second sections are in closed position.

4. A cooler as defined in claim 3, further comprising cooperating surfaces on said first and said second sections to close said first and second sections.

5. A cooler as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for mounting includes adjustable means to force said first and second sections towards each other into closed position.

6. A cooler as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for mounting includes a rod extending through said pillar and means engaging said rod to hold said second section on said first section.

7. A cooler as defined in claim 6, further comprising guiding surfaces on said first section cooperating with mating surfaces on said second section to guide said second section for relative rotational movement on said first section.

8. A cooler as defined in claim 7, wherein said guiding surfaces aid in defining the periphery of said chamber.

9. A cooler as defined in claim 8, further comprising a coolant container, an aperture in said coolant container, said coolant container being received in said chamber and said pillar being snugly received within said aperture.

10. A cooler as defined in claim 1, wherein said cooler has substantially scalped outer periphery and said compartments are each defined in part by arcuate outer peripheral walls forming the outer periphery of said first section and wherein said second section has a plurality of arcuate projections forming its outer scalped periphery, said projections being adapted to overlie and close said compartments.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM J. WYE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

